“Going to Grow as a Leader,” Craig Berube Backs Auston Matthews Amidst Criticism Regarding His Leadership Following Game 7 Loss

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube extended support towards Auston Matthews after his leadership skills were criticized following Game 7 loss.

“Going to Grow as a Leader,” Craig Berube Backs Auston Matthews Amidst Criticism Regarding His Leadership Following Game 7 Loss

Auston Matthews and Craig Berube (Image via Imago/ClutchPoints)

The Toronto Maple Leafs were handed another Game 7 elimination on Sunday night. The Canadian outfit lost 6-1 against the Florida Panthers, which led to many questioning the leadership skills of Auston Matthews. His head coach, Craig Berube, backed him and expressed that he would only “grow” as a leader from here on.

Matthews, the Maple Leafs captain, did not have a good time on the ice in the series against the Panthers. The forward star managed just 1 goal in 7 games against his division rivals. His performances led to many slamming him online while his jersey were thrown on the field and burned in anger.

Following another Game 7 loss, former Maple Leafs star and current NHL insider Nick Kypreos doubted the leadership skills of Matthews. While discussing this skill of him on the Real Kyper and Bourne Show, the ex-NHL star expressed that he was just not the guy many had envisioned.

In a press conference following their exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, Berube was asked about the leadership skills of Matthews. The Maple Leafs head coach supported the American international and expressed that his leadership got better and better as the season passed.

I thought his leadership got better and better as the year went along. I thought we worked well together, him and I, from that standpoint. Towards the end of the season, he really took over in that role. And he’s only going to grow as a leader.

Matthews was named as the team captain before the start of the 2024-25 season. He would replace John Tavares as the new leader was named as the 26th captain in the franchise’s long history.

Auston Matthews remains secretive about injury that affected him throughout the season

In his first season as the captain of the team, Auston Matthews had a challenging year. He was unable to contribute as much as he would hoped as an injury kept on affecting throughout the season. Despite the season being over now for him and his team, the forward has remained secretive about his injury.

Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews (Image via Imago)

In November 2024, Matthews informed that he had traveled to Germany to get some treatment regarding his injury. He got injured during the preseason training.

Even after the treatment, the 28-year-old was not a 100 percent fit. While speaking to the reporters in the press conference, he once again remained tight-lipped about the blow he suffered but assured that he would be fine.

I don’t need to get into the specifics of stuff, but I got injured in training camp… It was a tough year physically, but I am really confident that with some time off and with going through my process and treatment, I will be back to 100% next season. There is nothing to really worry about.

Matthews further expressed that he does not need surgery for this injury. He would now be hoping to return back to his best form next season. This year, he managed to score 33 goals and 45 assists. A year before that, he had 69 goals and 38 assists, notching up 107 points, the highest he has managed in a regular season.

Auston Matthews calls Mitch Marner his “brother” amidst doubts regarding his future

Apart from Auston Matthews, the other name that was on the tongue of others was Mitch Marner. The forward star was in the final year of his contract with the Maple Leafs. Following the Game 7 loss, heavy speculation regarding his future has started. In the midst of this, Matthews labeled Marner as his ‘brother.’

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner (Image via NY Times)

Matthews and Marner have formed a formidable duo and are part of the Maple Leafs ‘Core 4’ along with William Nylander and John Tavares. At the moment, Marner is an impending Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). He can either come back to the team with a huge contract extension or leave them and join another team.

While the chances of the latter happening are higher, Marner has refused to speak about this at the moment. In the press conference, Matthews expressed that he is a ‘big part’ of the team.

It is tough. He is a brother… He is a big, big part of our team and has been a big part of our team. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the business. People will come and go. He has the right to make his own decision. We all love him very much.

Only time will tell what Marner will decide for his future. If he does end up leaving, it will bring an end to the ‘Core 4’ era of the Maple Leafs.

Also Read: